On second thoughts, hang on to Willy T

Here are some questions, answers, conjectures and other thoughts as Tim Purpura gets ready to head to the Winter Meetings Dec. 5.

 It’s obvious that Purpura and his think tank prefer to play out the winter off-season on the quiet side, unlike Florida, Texas, Philadelphia, New York, Toronto and others. Unfortunately for the fans who like to play the Hot Stove League, this is probably the best way to play it. Consider now that Hank Blaylock has to play in Texas after management essentially told him that they’d rather have Josh Beckett than him.

 Here’s one fan who is having second thoughts about trading Willy Taveras. Yes, I advocated it even during the World Series, but the guy is only 23 and has a lot of upside. Does he need to learn how to steal a base better? Yes. Does he need to hit the weight room so he can hit the ball past the shortstop? No doubt. Does he need to spend more time taking fly balls in the outfield? Absolutely.

But, if the Astros can’t substantially upgrade there, stay the course for another year.

 Who would you have given up to see Josh Beckett in an Astros uniform? Perhaps Chris Burke? Maybe Ezekiel Astacio? Would you have taken on Mike Lowell in hopes of trading him elsewhere?

 I trust that Purpura et al are trying to beef up the rotation and bullpen. There is really no substitute for pitching and defense. The ‘stros can live with Bagwell-Biggio-Everett-Ensberg around the horn and an outfield of Berkman, Taveras and Lane as long as the pitching is strong and deep.

 So far the Cubs haven’t done badly for themselves, adding lefty Scott Eyre and Bobby Howry to set up for closer Ryan Dempster. The Cubbies are also rumored to be making a run at Atlanta shortstop Rafael Furcal and Florida center fielder/leadoff hitter Juan Pierre.

 Alright, the clock is ticking, so go ahead and declare your date that Roger Clemens will make his decision about 2006. Come on, get it out in the open. Before Christmas? Before New Year’s? Mid-January? I believe he’ll make his intentions known prior to Christmas. No inside scoop, no reason other than Purpura, Tal Smith and the baseball people have told Drayton McLane they cannot wait this year, that it could be disastrous if they aren’t able to make a move.

 Can David Carr pitch? Can Andre Johnson run down a fly ball? Just thinking out loud.